My turning point: My father passed away a few years ago, and I was so overwhelmed with grief that I began eating my way into depression. Then it dawned on me that my dad wouldn't want to see me this unhappy, so I made a decision to change my lifestyle.

My slim-down techniques: I limit my carb and sodium intake, and drink a lot of water (with a slice of lemon). But I believe the key to weight loss is moderation. I don't deprive myself of the foods I really want, because that can lead to a vicious bingeing cycle.

Kept the weight off: 11 months

My best motivator: I like the way I feel and the compliments I receive from friends and family. Best of all, I love the way my husband looks at me now that I'm thin.

My greatest temptation: Licorice. But instead of eating a pound at a time, as I did in the past, now I just have two pieces and that's it.

My favorite diet food: Scallops with a side of fresh spinach. I sautŽ the scallops in 2 teaspoons of olive oil, add a pinch of garlic, a handful of shallots, then some Italian plum tomatoes, a quarter of a bottle of white wine and some basil from my garden.

My favorite snack: Fruit -- like grapes, tangerines and figs.

My exercise routine: I walk a mile with my neighbor every day. On occasion, I also do water aerobics.

Slim-down advice: Allow yourself to eat what you want, within reason. Exercise and the power of positive thinking are also essential.

The payoff: Seeing how proud my husband is of me -- not to mention dropping from a size 18 to size 12!

The Secret of Your Success

Have you lost unwanted pounds and kept them off? Whether you've shed that extra weight with a diet that really worked or by revamping your snack habits, we want to know your secrets for an ongoing Good Housekeeping Web feature. Email us your success story, and be sure to include your name and daytime phone number.